December | 2013 | Mora Gunfighter

Union Station

About this time every year the travel bug starts nibbling at my soul as I begin the slow process of succumbing to my longing for adventure, for new experiences, for seeing new places. The bug usually continues to gnaw at my inner most being until the spring when I’m able to once again satisfy my craving. As a symptom of this little parasite I like to look back at previous experiences…

In July, 2012 I walked through this infamous landmark — the first stop on a foot tour of Los Angeles.

Break On Through To The Other Side

Yours truly working to recover this rig from the Missouri River. You haven’t lived until the surface below your vehicle breaks apart and you’re suddenly hip deep in frozen river water in late December!

Punchin’ Holes

Cradle To Cross

Okay, so Jesus wasn’t laid in a cradle but rather a manger — you get the point. God’s Son was born of a virgin in order that He might one day, some thirty years later, die on the Roman cross for the whole world, granting eternal life to those who don’t reject this free gift. Merry Christmas to all and to all a spectacularly good night!

Photograph from the nativity set displayed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, CA.

Gemütlichkeit

Nothing says, “Get your Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree here” like a seminary that has a weekly ritual of inducing cheer and merriment among the students and faculty — and in Red Solo Cup fashion!

Snowy Morning

This past weekend was the first real snowfall of the year. I’ve been looking forward to driving the Westy in the snow with reserved excitement since we brought her out of California. I say reserved excitement because with the snow comes a season of craptastically salted roads. I’m going to be freaked out all winter long, wondering if I’m doing enough to protect the Bus.

Emboyd Theatre

I took in a rad Christmas performance at the Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne, IN. This historic theatre opened its doors back in 1928 with Emboyd on the marquee. Like many a great theater it fell into disrepair and has one of those saved-from-utter-destruction-with-out-a-moment-to-spare stories. In the days of Vaudeville this Hoosier diamond hosted the likes of Perry Como, Lawrence Welk, Louis Armstrong, Tony Bennett, Chico Marx, Doris Day, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Donald O’Connor, Marilyn Maxwell, Red Skelton, Victor Borge, and Artie Shaw. Another great piece of trivia for the history buff is that Bob Hope’s first emcee job was at this very theatre. Pretty chill!

Get the unabridged history at http://www.fwembassytheatre.org/aboutus.htm

Christmas Memories

I’ve spent Christmas in a variety of places. I’ll never forget the one spent south of San Francisco. It was the only one (so far) that didn’t involve frigid temperatures and snow. It was also the first Christmas where I had the privilege of serving Christ’s people in an official capacity.

God’s blessings to all my brothers and sisters in the faith at Trinity Lutheran Church in Palo Alto. The Christmas I spent with you is one for the memory books. You’re in my heart and my prayers.

Casting Shadows

Facing the Huron River on the campus of Concordia University – Ann Arbor as the sun shines on a fresh sheet of snow.

O Tannenbaum

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!
They are green when summer days are bright,
They are green when winter snow is white.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
You give us so much pleasure!
How oft at Christmas tide the sight,
O green fir tree, gives us delight!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
You give us so much pleasure!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
Forever true your color.
Your boughs so green in summertime
Stay bravely green in wintertime.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
Forever true your color.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
You fill my heart with music.
Reminding me on Christmas Day
To think of you and then be gay.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
You fill my heart with music.

Month: December 2013